Page 65 of Poinsettia Lane

“Excellent!” Farah claps her hands in emphasis. “I’m sure you had to practically pull your own arm off to get him to agree.”

Farah rolls her eyes at Everly’s shrug, bypassing her awkwardness with ease. “He’s not the best at accepting help, thank you for not giving up on him.”

Everly isn’t sure what to say to that, it’s truly the least she could do, so she offers a meager sort of smile before turning to Asim.

“We can put the food in my car if you want, I’ll drop it all off at the hotel. I’ve got a few things to do there today anyways, so I’ll reserve a room for you and pop them inthe fridge for later.”

Farah eyes him, a slight threat in her gaze, and he agrees.

“It was nice meeting you in person,” Everly says, “despite the circumstances.”

“You too, okhti," Farah says, pulling Everly into another hug.

Asim walks Everly over to her car, more than a week’s worth of meals in hand, and she glances up at his sun-warmed face, so incredibly thankful she decided to drive out here today. They load the food into her backseat and he wraps his arms around her again, blocking out the world with his biceps and taking as much comfort from her as he gives.

She confirms he’ll be at the hotel later that day, then heads back into town when he insists on staying and going back to work, salvaging what he can, caring for the surviving plants, and fielding a relentless stream of phone calls.

~~~

Asim texts her a couple hours later, letting her know that his sister is headed back to the city and he’s on his way to the hotel. When he walks into the lobby, so very slowly to accommodate Moose’s unsteady gait, Everly is there waiting. She’s been doing her best to not to fidget or pace so she doesn’t set her employees on edge too, but when she sees him, all the restless anxiety drains from her body.

He gives her a sad smile as she greets him, tipping up on her toes for a kiss. Everly ushers them to the elevator, holding it open for Moose to waddle his way in and collapse to the floor.

“I’ve tried carrying him,” Asim says, “but he hates it. Wiggles around so much I’m worried he’ll injure himself further.”

“Doesn’t want any help, huh?” Everly side-eyes him. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Asim shoots her a mock glare and she grins over her shoulder as she exits the elevator, walking down the hall and opening the door to the room she reserved.

“It’s a full suite. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, small dining nook and living area.”

“Whoa, Everly.” Asim’s eyes are wide as he looks around. “This is way too much. I don’t need all this.”

“It’s standard.” She averts her gaze. That might be a small white lie, as technically their “standard” rooms don’t have a full kitchen or living area, but really it’s only a small step up from that. Or maybe two, whatever.

“Besides,” she continues, “it’s already done. I’ve reserved this room for you for the next two months and I’ve already threatened to fire anyone who allows you to downgrade.”

Asim gapes at her.

“I know you. You don’t think you deserve this, but you do.” Then she smirks at him. “Plus, it’s my hotel, and I like to stay in luxury. If I plan on spending any time here with you—which I do—I want it to be in one of our nicer rooms.”

She sticks her nose in the air, putting on her most haughty expression and daring him to contradict her as she strides into the kitchen.

Asim steps up behind her and wraps her in a fierce hug.

“Thank you, my sweet Ever," he says, and she melts in his arms. It means a lot to her that she can do this for him, and she wants him to accept it, accept her.

Letting go with one arm, Asim opens the cabinet next to them and pauses, noticing that it’s not entirely filled, but does have a good amount of dinnerware in it, certainly more than a two person hotel suite would typically have. He releases her from his hold with his other arm and opens the next cabinet, again taking note of the variety of pots and pans inside. Opening a drawer of cutlery, and then one of hot pads, and then the counter under the sink with dishwashing supplies, his eyes narrow and his brow furrows. When he opens the pantry to see it fully stocked with food, he turns around abruptly, and she schools her face into her most innocent expression.

Eyes wide, eyebrows slightly raised, and hands clasped behind her back, she asks, “What?”

“Are all of the suite kitchens stocked like this?” heasks. The words are slow and measured.

“Sure," Everly says with a shrug. The hotel does offer groceries as a special add-on feature, for guests who request and pay for it to be stocked ahead of time.

Asim tips his chin down and eyes her, gaze still narrowed.

“Sure.” His voice is skeptical now, and she doesn’t blame him one bit.

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